A 2,500-year-old Phoenician shipwreck has been found underwater in the Murcia region of southeastern Spain.
An extraordinary Phoenician shipwreck dating back 2,500 years has become the focal point of an ambitious rescue mission after lying submerged in sediment for more than two millennia. Spanish archaeologists are working hard to recover the ancient remains of the wreck from the sea before a storm destroys it forever.
This remarkable archaeological discovery, named Mazarrón II after the region where it was found, is considered a unique piece of ancient maritime engineering.
A team of nine Spanish archaeological experts from the University of Valencia have meticulously drawn a detailed diagram of the ship in order to implement a comprehensive plan to save this ancient relic in the future.
The team from the University of Valencia, equipped with diving equipment, has spent more than 560 hours documenting every crack and fissure in the eight-metre-long Mazarrón II.
These experts have set a deadline to complete their expedition after countless hours of diving in the depths of the sea. Their goal is to recover the wreck next summer before storms destroy it even more.
Their extensive underwater surveys, which took place over two weeks in June, provided critical information on the condition of the wreck. This meticulous documentation will be instrumental in developing a recovery and preservation strategy.
Divers from the University of Valencia map and assess the condition of a 2,500-year-old Phoenician vessel submerged 60 meters off the beach in Mazarrón, Spain, on June 20, 2023. Photo: José A Moya/Gobierno Regional de Murcia
The wreck is “nothing short of exquisite,” Deborah Carlson, a professor of nautical archaeology at Texas A&M University, told McClatchy News.
“On the one hand, it occupies a very important place in history, both chronologically and geographically, because it exhibits construction techniques associated with the Levant, where the Phoenicians originated.”
In addition to its historical significance, the wreck, called Mazarrón II, is also “in excellent condition,” Carlson said.
However, the remarkably preserved ship could soon face destruction if left exposed to powerful underwater currents, Carlos De Juan, an archaeologist at the University of Valencia, told McClatchy News.
“It’s in a complicated area where the currents are affecting the seabed, taking away the sand, so we had to make a decision,” he said.
The decision: to transport the entire 25-foot-long vessel to the surface. The ambitious project will likely take more than a year and require significant preparation, De Juan said.
Estimated to have been built around 580 BC, Mazarrón II offers a unique opportunity to gain further insight into Phoenician trading practices.
Cover photo: UV Nautical Archaeology
Review: Top 10 Cloud Services in the USA
Cloud computing has transformed how businesses operate, offering scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions for storage, computing, and application management. The U.S. leads the global cloud market, with providers delivering innovative services tailored to startups, enterprises, and everything in between. Below is a comprehensive review of the top 10 cloud service providers in the USA for 2025, based on market share, service offerings, and customer feedback.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS dominates with a 31% global market share, generating $24.2 billion in Q4 2023 revenue. It offers over 200 services, including compute (EC2), storage (S3), AI (SageMaker), and analytics. AWS’s 33 regions and 105 availability zones ensure low latency and high reliability. Its pay-as-you-go pricing starts at ~$0.0832/hour for a t3.large instance (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM). Ideal for businesses needing scalability and cutting-edge AI tools.
Microsoft AzureAzure holds a 24% market share and is the fastest-growing major provider, with 30% revenue growth in 2023. It offers 200+ services, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with strengths in AI, IoT, and enterprise integration. Azure’s pricing for a 2 vCPU, 8GB RAM instance (D2s v3) starts at ~$0.096/hour. Its hybrid cloud solutions and Microsoft ecosystem make it a top choice for enterprises.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)GCP, with an 11.5% market share, excels in AI, machine learning (TensorFlow, BigQuery), and data analytics. It offers 150+ services across 24 regions and 73 zones. Pricing for an e2-standard-2 instance (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM) starts at ~$0.070/hour, with up to 57% discounts for committed use. GCP is favored by data-driven businesses and developers.
IBM CloudIBM Cloud provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS with a focus on enterprise-grade security, AI (Watson), and hybrid/multi-cloud deployments. It serves industries like healthcare and finance, offering 170+ services. Pricing varies, but its pay-as-you-go model is competitive. IBM’s strong partner ecosystem and AIOps solutions enhance business transformation.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)Oracle Cloud is gaining traction with its high-performance computing and database services. It offers cost-effective pricing, with a free tier and discounts for committed use. OCI’s focus on enterprise applications, like ERP and CRM, makes it ideal for large organizations. Its global network includes 40+ regions.
DigitalOceanDigitalOcean targets startups and developers with simple, affordable cloud hosting. Plans start at $2.50/month for 0.5GB RAM, 10GB storage, and 1 vCPU. Its managed databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and monitoring tools ensure reliability. DigitalOcean’s free credits and Hatch program support early-stage businesses.
VMware CloudVMware, now under Broadcom, specializes in multi-cloud and hybrid cloud solutions. It supports AWS, Azure, and GCP, offering consistent management across environments. VMware’s virtualization expertise and low-cost migration tools make it a top pick for enterprises modernizing data centers.
SalesforceSalesforce focuses on cloud-based CRM and customer service solutions. Its Service Cloud automates workflows and integrates with AI for personalized customer experiences. With 1.5 million users, it’s a leader for businesses prioritizing customer engagement. Pricing is subscription-based, tailored to business size.
CloudflareCloudflare is a CDN and security-focused provider, offering DDoS protection, DNS, and content delivery. Its user-friendly interface and integrations with WordPress and Shopify appeal to businesses needing fast, secure web performance. Pricing includes a free tier and pay-as-you-go plans.
Linode (Akamai) Linode, acquired by Akamai, offers developer-friendly cloud hosting with transparent pricing and a free tier. It integrates with Akamai’s CDN for enhanced performance. Plans start at $5/month for 1GB RAM, 25GB storage, and 1 vCPU. Linode is ideal for SMBs and tech-savvy users.
Choosing the Right Provider
Selecting a cloud provider depends on your needs: AWS, Azure, and GCP dominate for scalability and enterprise solutions; DigitalOcean and Linode cater to startups; Salesforce excels in CRM; and Cloudflare prioritizes web performance. Compare pricing, scalability, and security features. Check reviews on platforms like Gartner or Forbes Cloud 100 for insights. As cloud spending grows (projected at $591.8 billion in 2023), ensure your choice aligns with long-term goals.
